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Barbara Fisher

Bio: Barbara Fisher is an academic researcher from University of Western Ontario. The author has contributed to research in topics: Radiation therapy & Temozolomide. The author has an hindex of 40, co-authored 116 publications receiving 26509 citations. Previous affiliations of Barbara Fisher include London Health Sciences Centre & Mayo Clinic.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Primary Analysis of RTOG 9310: An Intergroup Phase II Combined Modality Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma with Chemotherapy and Hyperfractionated Radiotherapy shows promising results.
Abstract: 297 Secondary Analysis of RTOG 9310: An Intergroup Phase II Combined Modality Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma with Chemotherapy and Hyperfractionated Radiotherapy B.J. Fisher, W. Sieferheld, C. Schultz, L. DeAngelis, D. Nelson, S.C. Schold, W. Curran Radiation Oncology, London Regional Cancer Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Statistical Unit, RTOG Headquarters, Philadephia, PA, Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, Neurology, Memorial-Sloan Kettering, New York, NY, Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

6 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This research highlights the need to understand more fully the role of pre- and post-operative inflammation in the development of central giant cell granuloma and its role in the progression of disease.
Abstract: M. P. Mehta, M. Won, E. G. Shaw, J. Buckner, M. Gilbert, G. Barger, S. Coons, P. Ricci, D. Bullard, P. D. Brown, K. Stelzer, D. G. Brachman, J. H. Suh, C. Schultz, J. Bahary, B. J. Fisher, H. Kim, A. D. Murtha, W. J. Curran, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, RTOG, Philadelphia, PA, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, Mayo Clinic, Minneapolis, MN, University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, Radiology Imaging Associates, Denver, CO, Triangle Neurosurgery, Raleigh, NC, Mid-Columbia Medical Center, The Dalles, OR, Arizona Oncology Services, Phoenix, AZ, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, Notre Dame Hospital/University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, Universty of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmondon, AB, Canada, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA

6 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The maximally tolerated dose of interferon alpha-2a given three times weekly during pelvic radiation was 3 million units based on acute side effects, Nevertheless, even at this dose level there were three unusual subacute complications possibly related to treatment.
Abstract: Purpose : The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose at alpha-2a interferon given by subcutaneous injection and combined with high dose pelvic radiation for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer. Methods and Materials : In this Phase I pilot study, patients with local advancd, unresectable, or recurrent rectal cancer with or without distant metastases received external beam pelvic radiotherapy over 5 to 6 weeks combined with escalating doses of alpha-2a interferon. Interferon was escalated in increments of 3 million units for each patient cohort, starting at 3 million units subcutaneously 3 days weekly during pelvic radiation. Radiotherapy consisted of 4 Gy (2 Gy fractions) to the pelvic followed by a boost of 6 Gy or 16 Gy to gross pelvic tumor, depending on the presence or absence of small bowel in the boost field, respectively. Between 1991 and 1993, 10 patients were treated on this study, five with locally advanced and five with locally recurrent rectal cancer. Results: At 6 million units of interferon, Grade 3 (WHO criteria) toxicities were as follows: diarrhea (one), leukopenia (one), and neutropenia (one). One patient died of a massive GI bleed at this dose level. Death was not felt to be treatment related. The maximum tolerated dose of interferon was 3 million units three times weekly with radiation. Three patients had unusual complications at 4, 6, and 6 months possibly related to treatment. The first had a right distal ureteric stricture with a right urinoma. The second had a sudden left foot drop that has remaind stable. The third had sudden onset of bilateral lower extremity paraplegia with spontaneous resolution. Conclusions : The maximally tolerated dose of interferon alpha-2a given three times weekly during pelvic radiation was 3 million units based on acute side effects. Nevertheless, even at this dose level there were three unusual subacute complications possibly related to treatment. Caution is advised when combining interferon alpha-2a with high dose pelvic radiation, especially in patients with predisposing conditions (such as diabetes) for radiotherapy complications.

5 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Thirty-one patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled in this phase I/II trial of a triple combination of camptosar, oxaliplatin and tomudex, all given on day one of a convenient three-week schedule and toxicity was manageable and haematological toxicity was mild to moderate.

5 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Almost half of patients with HR-LGG experience NCF decline in the first year after treatment with temozolomide-based concurrent chemoradiation, and changes in NCF and QOL after therapy remained stable or improved.
Abstract: RTOG 0424 reported a 73.5% 3-year overall survival (OS) rate. This secondary analysis describes changes in NCF and QOL after therapy. Patients with HR-LGG were treated with radiation and concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide. Standardized NCF tests were performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months (mos). Rates of NCF decline were examined using the reliable change index on Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Controlled Oral Word Association. Relationships between NCF and subjective cognitive concerns (MOS-Cognitive Function [MOS-CF] scale) were evaluated with Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. QOL was assessed using FACT-Brain. Longitudinal modeling using maximum likelihood estimation evaluated predictors of change in QOL. Cox models assessed the association of baseline NCF with OS after adjusting for age, anticonvulsants, number of high risk factors, EORTC OS risk group, and tumor crossing the midline. From 1/2005 to 8/2009, 129 evaluable patients were accrued, and 93 (72%) completed at least one NCF/QOL measurement with completers having better neurologic function than noncompleters (p=0.04). Compliance across measures was 55–59% and 54–57% at 6 and 12mos. Deterioration occurred in 50%/40% at 6mos/12mos, respectively, and was most frequent on HVLT (21%/20%), TMTA (29%/20%), and TMTB (22%/14%). Patients with HVLT deterioration at 12mos, compared to patients without deterioration, had significantly greater decrease in MOS-CF (p=0.01). No NCF test at baseline was independently associated with OS. FACT Emotional (p=0.02) and Functional Well-Being (p=0.004) subscales improved over time. EORTC OS high-risk group was associated with worse QOL on all subscales (p< 0.05 to 0.001) except Emotional Well-Being, tumor crossing the midline was associated with worse Emotional Well-Being (p=0.04), and unmethylated MGMT status was associated with better Physical Well-Being (p=0.05). Approximately half of patients with HR-LGG experience NCF decline in the first year after treatment with temozolomide-based concurrent chemoradiation. QOL remained stable or improved.

4 citations


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The addition of temozolomide to radiotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma resulted in a clinically meaningful and statistically significant survival benefit with minimal additional toxicity.
Abstract: methods Patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed glioblastoma were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy alone (fractionated focal irradiation in daily fractions of 2 Gy given 5 days per week for 6 weeks, for a total of 60 Gy) or radiotherapy plus continuous daily temozolomide (75 mg per square meter of body-surface area per day, 7 days per week from the first to the last day of radiotherapy), followed by six cycles of adjuvant temozolomide (150 to 200 mg per square meter for 5 days during each 28-day cycle). The primary end point was overall survival. results A total of 573 patients from 85 centers underwent randomization. The median age was 56 years, and 84 percent of patients had undergone debulking surgery. At a median follow-up of 28 months, the median survival was 14.6 months with radiotherapy plus temozolomide and 12.1 months with radiotherapy alone. The unadjusted hazard ratio for death in the radiotherapy-plus-temozolomide group was 0.63 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.52 to 0.75; P<0.001 by the log-rank test). The two-year survival rate was 26.5 percent with radiotherapy plus temozolomide and 10.4 percent with radiotherapy alone. Concomitant treatment with radiotherapy plus temozolomide resulted in grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxic effects in 7 percent of patients.

16,653 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Benefits of adjuvant temozolomide with radiotherapy lasted throughout 5 years of follow-up, and a benefit of combined therapy was recorded in all clinical prognostic subgroups, including patients aged 60-70 years.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In 2004, a randomised phase III trial by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC) reported improved median and 2-year survival for patients with glioblastoma treated with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide and radiotherapy. We report the final results with a median follow-up of more than 5 years. METHODS: Adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were randomly assigned to receive either standard radiotherapy or identical radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide followed by up to six cycles of adjuvant temozolomide. The methylation status of the methyl-guanine methyl transferase gene, MGMT, was determined retrospectively from the tumour tissue of 206 patients. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00006353. FINDINGS: Between Aug 17, 2000, and March 22, 2002, 573 patients were assigned to treatment. 278 (97%) of 286 patients in the radiotherapy alone group and 254 (89%) of 287 in the combined-treatment group died during 5 years of follow-up. Overall survival was 27.2% (95% CI 22.2-32.5) at 2 years, 16.0% (12.0-20.6) at 3 years, 12.1% (8.5-16.4) at 4 years, and 9.8% (6.4-14.0) at 5 years with temozolomide, versus 10.9% (7.6-14.8), 4.4% (2.4-7.2), 3.0% (1.4-5.7), and 1.9% (0.6-4.4) with radiotherapy alone (hazard ratio 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.7; p<0.0001). A benefit of combined therapy was recorded in all clinical prognostic subgroups, including patients aged 60-70 years. Methylation of the MGMT promoter was the strongest predictor for outcome and benefit from temozolomide chemotherapy. INTERPRETATION: Benefits of adjuvant temozolomide with radiotherapy lasted throughout 5 years of follow-up. A few patients in favourable prognostic categories survive longer than 5 years. MGMT methylation status identifies patients most likely to benefit from the addition of temozolomide. FUNDING: EORTC, NCIC, Nelia and Amadeo Barletta Foundation, Schering-Plough.

6,161 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Patients with glioblastoma containing a methylated MGMT promoter benefited from temozolomide, whereas those who did not have a methylation of theMGMT promoter did notHave such a benefit and were assigned to only radiotherapy.
Abstract: background Epigenetic silencing of the MGMT (O 6 -methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase) DNArepair gene by promoter methylation compromises DNA repair and has been associated with longer survival in patients with glioblastoma who receive alkylating agents. methods We tested the relationship between MGMT silencing in the tumor and the survival of patients who were enrolled in a randomized trial comparing radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy combined with concomitant and adjuvant treatment with temozolomide. The methylation status of the MGMT promoter was determined by methylation-specific polymerase-chain-reaction analysis. results The MGMT promoter was methylated in 45 percent of 206 assessable cases. Irrespective of treatment, MGMT promoter methylation was an independent favorable prognostic factor (P<0.001 by the log-rank test; hazard ratio, 0.45; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.61). Among patients whose tumor contained a methylated MGMT promoter, a survival benefit was observed in patients treated with temozolomide and radiotherapy; their median survival was 21.7 months (95 percent confidence interval, 17.4 to 30.4), as compared with 15.3 months (95 percent confidence interval, 13.0 to 20.9) among those who were assigned to only radiotherapy (P=0.007 by the log-rank test). In the absence of methylation of the MGMT promoter, there was a smaller and statistically insignificant difference in survival between the treatment groups. conclusions Patients with glioblastoma containing a methylated MGMT promoter benefited from temozolomide, whereas those who did not have a methylated MGMT promoter did not have such a benefit.

6,018 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
26 Sep 2008-Science
TL;DR: Recurrent mutations in the active site of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) occurred in a large fraction of young patients and in most patients with secondary GBMs and were associated with an increase in overall survival.
Abstract: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal type of brain cancer. To identify the genetic alterations in GBMs, we sequenced 20,661 protein coding genes, determined the presence of amplifications and deletions using high-density oligonucleotide arrays, and performed gene expression analyses using next-generation sequencing technologies in 22 human tumor samples. This comprehensive analysis led to the discovery of a variety of genes that were not known to be altered in GBMs. Most notably, we found recurrent mutations in the active site of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in 12% of GBM patients. Mutations in IDH1 occurred in a large fraction of young patients and in most patients with secondary GBMs and were associated with an increase in overall survival. These studies demonstrate the value of unbiased genomic analyses in the characterization of human brain cancer and identify a potentially useful genetic alteration for the classification and targeted therapy of GBMs.

5,250 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Mutations of NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenases encoded by IDH1 and IDH2 occur in a majority of several types of malignant gliomas.
Abstract: Background A recent genomewide mutational analysis of glioblastomas (World Health Organization [WHO] grade IV glioma) revealed somatic mutations of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene (IDH1) in a fraction of such tumors, most frequently in tumors that were known to have evolved from lower-grade gliomas (secondary glioblastomas). Methods We determined the sequence of the IDH1 gene and the related IDH2 gene in 445 central nervous system (CNS) tumors and 494 non-CNS tumors. The enzymatic activity of the proteins that were produced from normal and mutant IDH1 and IDH2 genes was determined in cultured glioma cells that were transfected with these genes. Results We identified mutations that affected amino acid 132 of IDH1 in more than 70% of WHO grade II and III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas and in glioblastomas that developed from these lower-grade lesions. Tumors without mutations in IDH1 often had mutations affecting the analogous amino acid (R172) of the IDH2 gene. Tumors with IDH1 or IDH2 mutations h...

4,853 citations